JAMES Beattie says he is eager to get back into management, just over four months after leaving Accrington Stanley.

The former Blackburn Rovers, Everton and England striker kept the Reds up in his first season in charge, despite a 12-game winless start to the 2013-14 season.

Stanley were similarly slow to get going this season, having to wait until the visit of Tranmere Rovers for their first win.

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But that proved to be Beattie’s last game in charge, as he had his contract terminated on the eve of their home game with AFC Wimbledon.

The 36-year-old had an eventful time during his 16 months in charge, including stumping up the cash to cover an outstanding tax bill before being reimbursed by the club.

But he insists the experience has only served to make him more hungry to carve a career in management.

“My time at Accrington has made me more determined to be a manager,” said Beattie, who has been linked with the Gillingham job.

“I applied for the Burton and Mansfield jobs and, although it was not the result I wanted, I was told by experienced managers it was quite good to be interviewed for both of them.”

Beattie has used his time out of the game wisely, going behind the scenes at Swansea and West Brom to assess training under Swans boss Garry Monk and then Baggies boss Alan Irvine. The Scot has since left The Hawthorns.

“I see people like Garry, Alan and other managers I’ve spoken to and the amount of time they put into it is what I would do.

“I know the job at the next club I go into they won’t be prepared for the time and investment I’m going to put into it.”

Beattie, who scored over 140 goals in an 18-year playing career, added: “The one thing I was big on in the transition from player to manager was the attention to detail because if the players don’t see you put in the effort and the time they will see straight through it almost instantly.

“The planning at West Brom and Swansea is totally different to what I was doing because of the difference in resources, but the idea is to pick up any trinkets of information on preparation, be it on the playing side or the sports science side.”